6 Female Leaders Recognized for Elevating Channel Growth and Empowering and Inspiring Women at ACWConnect Live!
ORANGE, Calif., and LAS VEGAS — March 24, 2025 — Alliance of Channel Women, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of female technology channel leaders, announced tonight the winners of the 2024 LEAD, INSPIRE and EMPOWER Awards. Six women in tech were honored at a ceremony during the ACWConnect Live! event as part of the Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
ACW expanded its awards program in 2025, increasing recognition for individual and corporate contributions to advancing women in the technology channel, including the following individual awards:
The ACW LEAD Award
ACW’s flagship award, the ACW LEAD Award, recognizes outstanding female leaders who embody courage, creativity, collaboration, connectivity and confidence in elevating growth in the channel community.
The 2024 LEAD Award winners, in alphabetical order by last name, include:
- Melanie Calabretti, Senior Regional Channel Manager at RingCentral
- Susan Leveritt, Channel Chief & Vice President of Sales at Sangoma
- Jaclyn Smith, Director of Partner Enablement at Sangoma
The ACW EMPOWER AWARD
Formerly the ACW Big Impact Award, the ACW EMPOWER Award acknowledges individuals nominated by their peers for their remarkable commitment to empowering and supporting other women in their professional endeavors.
The 2024 EMPOWER Award winners, in alphabetical order by last name, include:
- Kim Daniels, Senior Account Manager, Channel Manager at Informa Tech
- Meg Thompson, Founder of Salt Peak Consulting
The ACW INSPIRE Award
The inaugural ACW INSPIRE Award, in memory of ACW Member Carolee Cannata, celebrates one woman each year who inspires others through compassion, generosity, trust and courage.
The 2024 INSPIRE Award winner is Melinda Ann O’Neill, Director, Strategic Accounts at Island and ACW Michigan Local Chapter Moderator.
Winners were selected by the ACW Awards Committee from nominations received via an online application from January 2 to February 7, 2025. Nominations came from third parties or candidates themselves. All applicants were required to demonstrate leadership and innovation in the channel as well as support advocacy and mentorship of women in the channel.
About the Alliance of Channel Women
Founded in 2010, the Alliance of Channel Women is a not-for-profit organization of women in the indirect sales channel of the telecom and IT industry. The Alliance of Channel Women brings us together to empower and advance women’s careers and leadership roles in the technology channel through education, community, advocacy and opportunities for personal growth. To learn more and to become a member, please visit www.allianceofchannelwomen.org.
Media Contact:
Khali Henderson
Alliance of Channel Women
pr@allianceofchannelwomen.org
khenderson@buzztheory.com
480.848.6726